PSL 2023: Peshawar Zalmi trump Lahore Qalandars

Peshawar Zalmi on Tuesday defeated Lahore Qalandars by 35 runs during the 23rd match of the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) at the Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi.

Chasing a target of 208 runs, the Qalandars were all out for 172 in 19.4 overs.

The result also means that Karachi Kings are out of the race for the playoffs.

During the run-chase the Qalandars opener Shawaiz Irfan was cleaned up by Arshad Iqbal in the first over for a duck.

The left-hander reached his fifty in 26 balls with the help of seven fours and two sixes.

However, Saim was dismissed by Rashid Khan after scoring 68 runs in 36 balls.

Soon after, Mohammad Haris (9) became Rashid's second wicket after he top-edged a sweep shot with Sikandar Raza completing a simple catch at the third man.

Despite bagging two wickets, Rashid conceded 41 runs in his full quota of four overs.

Meanwhile, Fakhar Zaman miscued a pull shot and handed Wahab Riaz his first wicket after scoring run-a-ball 11. On the very next ball, Sam Billings was sent packing for a golden duck by the experienced Riaz.

Azmatullah Omarzai got in on the action as well after dismissing the in-form Abdullah Shafique. The right-hander scored seven runs in 12 balls.

The Qalandars were reduced to 24-4 in the batting powerplay. However, at this stage, Shaheen Afridi and Hussain Talat notched up a 114-run partnership in 65 balls to give their side an outside chance while chasing the daunting target.

Shaheen Afridi went back to the pavilion after scoring his maiden fifty. He added 52 runs in 36 balls with the help of three fours and five sixes.

Hussain Talat's resistance came to an end after scoring 63 runs in 37 balls which included four fours and five sixes.

Sikandar Raza played a cameo of 20 runs in seven balls.

Arshad Iqbal and Wahab Riaz bagged two wickets each for Zalmi.

Earlier, Zalmi, who looked set for a total of around 230 after an explosive start, were bowled out for 207 in 19.3 overs.

Zalmi's opening pair of Babar Azam and Saim Ayub took the attack to the opposition as the duo stitched 107 runs in 66 balls.

Saim looked in great touch against a world-class bowling attack of the Qalandars as he played some stunning shots to all parts of the ground.

The left-hander reached his fifty in 26 balls with the help of seven fours and two sixes.

However, Saim was dismissed by Rashid Khan after scoring 68 runs in 36 balls.

Soon after, Mohammad Haris (9) became Rashid's second wicket after he top-edged a sweep shot with Sikandar Raza completing a simple catch at third man.

Despite bagging two wickets, Rashid conceded 41 runs in his full quota of four overs.

Babar was dismissed after scoring 50 runs in 41 balls with Haris Rauf taking his first wicket of the match. The right-handed smacked four fours and two sixes.

Tom Kohler-Cadmore provided impetus at the backend of the innings with 36 runs in 16 balls.

Shaheen Afridi was the pick of the bowlers for the Qalandars with figures of 4-31 in four overs.

Zalmi lost eight wickets in the last five overs while scoring 50 runs in the process.

This was only the second time in eight-year history of PSL that all 20 wickets fell in a match.

Playing XI

Peshawar Zalmi: Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Haris, Saim Ayub, Kohler-Cadmore, Haseebullah (wk), Rovman Powell, Aamer Jamal, Azmatullah Omarzai, Wahab Riaz, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Arshad Iqbal.

Lahore Qalandars: Fakhar Zaman, Shawaiz Irfan, Abdullah Shafique, Sam Billings (wk), David Wiese, Hussain Talat, Sikandar Raza, Rashid Khan, Shaheen Afridi (c), Haris Rauf, Zaman Khan.